Want to sip your way through 30 types of hot chocolate this winter? Head to the Ballarat Winter Festival, which is returning from June 27 to July 19.
Over three weeks that perfectly coincide with the school holidays, Ballarat will turn on the winter magic with an ice rink, mediaeval jousting, dazzling light installations and, yes, that aforementioned hot chocolate.
A crowd favourite, the Hot Choc Showdown is back and inviting visitors to sip their way through an indulgent line-up of creations – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – before voting for their favourite. Think rich Parisienne-style hot chocolate topped with thick whipped cream at Hideaway Coffee Bar, a white chocolate and butterscotch indulgence from Boatshed, an Espresso Martini hot choc at Market Hotel and a honeycomb-loaded version from La Miette Patisserie.
Beyond the hot chocolate trail, lace up your skates and get to the pop-up ice rink for a 45-minute sesh. Then head to Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, where spectacular projections, live music and winter bring the Gold Rush town to life. By day, try your hand at gold panning; by night, wander down Main Street as storytellers recreate scenes from the Industrial Revolution.
For fantasy and fire, Kryal Castle’s Knights of Fire delivers jousting battles, daring stunts, illusionist wizards and snow queens straight out of a fairytale. From July 9-11, Ballarat Civic Hall hosts Hidden, an immersive world of giant inflatable art designed to spark wonder in kids and adults alike. Another must-do? A visit to Ballarat Wildlife Park for close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, wombats and emus.
The Ballarat Winter Festival runs from June 27 to July 19, 2026. Get more information here.
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